God of the Grey

Dancing + College students = sex?
When I went to Northwest University they had a policy that did not allow dancing. Yes, that's correct, they told a bunch of college students that dancing was prohibited because it may lead to sex. Instead, we would hold these really lame "banquets". It all sounds ridiculous to me now. The idea that dancing leads to sex is not only unbiblical but also illogical. I felt like Kevin Bacon at times and other times I would humbly submit. I was torn. That is until I hung out with some friends from my home town. We were all home on spring break telling stories of our new schools. When I mentioned the no dancing rule my friends immediately erupted with laughter.(1) I remember feeling embarrassed. It wasn't because I paid money to go to this school with the ridiculous rules. I was embarrassed because of how stupid my faith looked to my friends. I felt dumb. Man-made religion has a way of doing that.

You'd think we'd learn by now. For thousands of years humans have tried to add all sorts of bells and whistles to Jesus' message and it has never turned out well. Churches have become like slick politicians hiding pieces of legislation in an otherwise well-written bill.(2) This is why so many have left the church and faith. They finally take a step back and state matter-of-factly, "I didn't sign up for this."

Have you ever stopped to notice how much the Bible doesn't talk about? The list is growing everyday.

Dating.
Cigarettes.
The rights of homosexuals.
R-rated movies.
Myspace. (3)
Obama.
Poker.
Mixed martial arts.
Working mothers.
Dancing.

There are many issues in the Bible that are black and white. For instance, I have not doubt the Bible makes it clear that Jesus is God. So, what do we do with these other issues? What do we do with the grey?

Eating mystery food + believer = believer in idol?

When the apostle Paul writes his letter to the Roman church he knows of a certain grey issue they are dealing with. Some are eating food that is sold in the marketplace. Seems harmless enough right? Well, no one knows where this meat came from. It was possible that some of the meat came from an idol sacrifice. So some didn't want to get near it because by doing so they thought they'd be worshiping idols. Now notice what Paul says about the grey...

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit..." (4)

Paul never once makes a ruling on the matter. Although Paul had the authority to, he never draws a line in the sand. He is comfortable with the tension. He lets both sides have their opinion and reminds them of what is truly important. He allows the grey and by doing so reveals a quiet confidence in a God that is bigger and better than it all.

God+man=righteousness, peace, and joy!

So I say let them have their opinions. Let the youth group proclaim dating is wrong. Let the protesters picket the capitol. Let Northwest hold their banquets. Meanwhile, lets walk humbly with our God. Lets allow God to be bigger and better. Lets reveal a quiet confidence that is comfortable with the tension. Lets display a righteousness, peace, and joy that is attractive and compelling to the those looking on. Lets proclaim the freedom only Jesus can give. Lets allow God to be in charge of our grey.

While some are drawing lines in the sand lets go play in the waves.

1. That's Kent for you. I'm so thankful for friends that have kept my feet firmly planted on the earth.

2. Like the recent bill passed about online gambling. That was some shady business. Tribal casino lobbyist slipping something under the radar. Highly sketch.

3. A few years back I was on a panel discussing the good and bad of myspace. I was surprised by how many church goers showed up to the meeting. The overall feeling was one of fear. Christians scared of the unknown. Should our faith be reactionary? Should we really be running around scared trying to defend our depleting turf? Is this the kind of life Jesus described?

4. Romans 14:17. It's interesting which side Paul refers to as the "weak".